Caroline

On Thursday afternoon, I’m speeding through downtown San Francisco like a Tasmanian devil, but I’m going to be late anyway. I’m meeting Daniel to buy a Halloween costume, and I’m supposed to be in front of the store in five minutes.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” I exclaim twenty minutes later. Parking was a nightmare, and I’m not entirely sure I parked legally.

“No problem.”

“So, what is this place?” I inspect the display, trying not to let the grizzly masks spook me. The horror aspect of Halloween is why I’m not so crazy about it. But Daniel looks excited, so I don’t voice the thought.

“Christopher’s wife, Victoria, discovered it some time ago. The entire family buys their costumes from here.”

“Why?”

“The owner keeps track of who bought what so no one ends up having the same costume as anyone else.”

“Wow, you guys take your costumes seriously.”

Daniel grins. “Dead serious. Come on in.”

The inside of the shop is much larger than I would have guessed. It’s narrow but goes all the way to the back of the building. All around us are costumes, masks, and supplies: everything from fake blood to fake cobwebs—at least I hope they’re fake—to vampire teeth that look surprisingly real. Daniel takes my hand, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, and I sigh, relishing the warmth and security his touch gives me.

“Hey, you two!” a woman greets from behind the counter. She has shortly cropped hair streaked with neon pink, and the ends are spiked with gel. She’s even more vibrant than the store.

“Hi, Violet,” Daniel says. “We’re here because Caroline needs a costume.”

She nods, tilting her head to one side. “You don’t strike me as the type who goes for the spooky costumes.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

“I have just what you need,” she says confidently. “I’ll take some outfits in the changing room for you. If you see anything you like, grab it and bring it in the changing room too.”

I turn to Daniel, sizing him up.

“What?” he inquires.

“Trying to decide what would go with a pirate.” I continue to eat him up with my gaze, intending to fully take advantage of the guise of studying him and visualizing him in his pirate costume. He’s wearing a simple polo shirt today. He’d have no problem making a living modeling. The man is a piece of art. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of drinking him in.

“Found anything you like?” Violet asks, reappearing beside us. “I took Cinderella and Snow White costumes in the back for you.”

I perk up at this. “Oh, so princess costumes are allowed?”

“Sure,” she answers.

“I’ll go right to the changing room and try them on.”

Violet leads me to the back with Daniel hot on my heels. Even though he’s at least a foot behind us, I can feel his presence, his gaze on me.

“Oh, this is beautiful,” I exclaim upon seeing the costume. “Let’s see how I look in it.”

Violet nods. “You’ll need help zipping it up in the back—”

“I’ll do it,” Daniel says. His voice is deceptively neutral, but I don’t miss the spark in his eyes. A shiver runs through me, and I inadvertently lick my lips, focusing on the costume.

“Right, you’re banned from going anywhere near the changing room, Daniel,” Violet exclaims. “No sex in my shop. I mean it. You’re looking at her like you want to eat her up.”

My cheeks heat up at her bluntness. Daniel merely laughs, shaking his head.

“I’m with Violet,” I tell him. “You’re not even allowed in the changing room. Sit there, and I’ll come out and model for you. I can zip myself up no problem. Plenty of practice.”

Daniel’s eyes darken, and my resolve nearly melts under his scrutiny, but I stick to my guns. See, it’s not just that I like adhering to common standards of public decency, but I love riling Daniel up, teasing him. So I pull the curtain of the changing room almost all the way closed. Enough for him to be able to see the peep show, enough to leave him wanting more. Oh hello, inner vixen, where have you been?

Once the costume’s on, I decide this is the one. I don’t need to try on anything else. This just fits right. Smiling, I step outside. Daniel sits in the armchair opposite the changing room, sizing me up with hunger. Whoops, I forgot all about the peep show I gave him, and I’m wearing the red lingerie he bought me for my birthday.

“You look fantastic in it,” Violet says, startling as the bell rings at the front and the door opens. “Have to go greet the customer. If you need me, shout.”

“I love it, and I’m buying it,” I announce.

He rises from the armchair, closing the distance to me, taking my hand and twirling me around once. “I’m buying it for you.”

“No, you won’t. I can afford it.”

“It’s not a question of affording it. You wouldn’t need to buy it if it wasn’t required for the party.” His voice is low but determined. 

“But—”

“If I want to buy my girlfriend a Halloween costume, I damn well will.”

Warmth travels through me at his words, and I instinctively squeeze his hand. He frowns slightly, looking down at our interlinked hands, then back up.

“What?”

“You called me your girlfriend.” I have no idea why I’m whispering.

He searches my expression. “That a problem?”

I shake my head, hoping he didn’t get the wrong idea. “No, I just... it sounds so lovely. I almost can’t believe it.”

Drawing circles with his thumb on the back of my hand, he says, “Let me get something straight and out of the way. I would have never pursued you again if I didn’t want this to be serious.”

His expression clouds and I gulp, wanting to kick myself. How on earth did I manage to get him so worried? Biting the inside of my cheek, I debate if I should bring up the fact that I can’t have kids now. Isn’t it too soon? We’ve only been back together for a week.

Yeah, but this has been ten years in the making, a tiny voice says at the back of my mind. Telling men about this hasn’t worked out so well for me in the past. The first relationship I had after the surgery crumbled the second I told him. He accused me of waiting too long—two months—to tell him, of being dishonest. Learning from my mistakes, I brought the issue up on the third date with the next guy. It didn’t go down well.

We haven’t even fucked, and you’re thinking about marriage and kids? I’m out of here. 

I took a long break from dating afterward. A break which lasted until Daniel. And here’s the thing: I know he wouldn’t react like the jackasses before, but this still won’t be an easy conversation. And one week into a relationship really is too early to bring this up.

“I want this to be serious too, Dan,” I say softly. “That’s always my problem, isn’t it? I jump all in until I’m over my head.”

“Then jump all in, love. I’m here to catch you.” His lips curl up in a smile, his voice soft but determined. His beautiful words travel straight to my heart.

“I’m swooning a bit,” I inform him. Both his hands are cupping my face. He touches the tip of my nose with his.

“If it’s just a bit, I’m not doing my job right.” He drags the tip of his nose up and down my temple. “Must up my game.”

He seals his mouth over mine in a kiss that’s as hot as it is sweet. His hands travel down my neck, arms, and then he fits his fingers over my rib cage, his thumbs flicking once over my nipples. Once is all it takes to turn them into hard nubs and to drench my panties. Damn this man and the spell he has on me. Yeah, I’m going to stick to blaming him for the way my body acts. Sounds like a great plan.

Trailing his mouth to my ear, he says on a growl, “Give me your panties.”

“Why?”

“You teased me enough in the changing room. Now I’m going to tease you. Take off your panties and give them to me.”

“When will you give them back?” I ask shyly. Thank heavens Violet is busy with the customer in the front.

“When I want to.”

Cue lady parts tingling. Every single one of them.

The twinkle in his eyes intensifies. “Still haven’t given me your panties.”

I back away into the changing room, then slip my hands under the long skirt of the dress and pull the thong down, all under Daniel’s intense scrutiny. He holds out his hand, his fingers touching mine as he takes the thong. The contact zings through me.

“Change back, and then we’ll grab something to eat.”

***

Daniel

“Why aren’t you answering?” Caroline asks as I mute my cell phone for the fifth time since we ordered.

“Because this guy always keeps me on the phone for at least half an hour. He’ll get the drift eventually.”

We’re at a Spanish restaurant, and I intend to enjoy every single moment with her. The rest can wait.

“Is it work stuff?” She sits up straighter, a strand of hair falling across her cheek. She brushes it away, training her eyes on me. “How did the events you told me about on Sunday go?”

“Like I expected. No photos leaked, so I’m gonna need to bait whoever’s doing it.”

“Meaning?”

“I’m going to talk to them, tell them a story. Some cock and bull about how the company is in trouble.”

She takes a sip of her chardonnay and frowns. “I don’t get it. Why would tabloids be interested in something like this?”

“They won’t, but local business magazines are going to be very interested, and they pay well for exclusive stories. I’m friends with most of them, so I expect them to call me to confirm the story before they publish it.”

“And then you’d know who leaked it. Wow, my head is spinning. Can I help in any way?”

“You’re sweet, but I’d never drag you into something like this. I’ll sort it out.”

“It sucks you have to do this at all.”

“Yeah. I’m going to cancel all celebrity events until I figure out who’s behind this.”

“Wow.”

“I can’t risk any more leaks. It’s not just about my reputation, but these people trust me with their privacy. If I can’t guarantee it, I’m not going to lie about it.”

“But won’t this affect your income?”

“Yeah, it will.” On a grin, I add, “Why? Will you ditch me if I’m poor?”

She returns my grin. “Aw, I’ll gladly take you in if you need a place to live. Purely out of the goodness of my heart. Not because you make tasty sandwiches. Or because you give me great orgasms.”

“Very magnanimous of you.” Before I get the chance to say anything more, the host of a famous talk show approaches us. She’s a regular client of mine. I stand, shaking her hand, focusing on her white hair because every time I look at her long, red, clawlike nails I almost gag.

“Daniel, how great to see you. We need to catch up soon.”

“Anytime, Cecilia. May I introduce you to my girlfriend, Caroline?”

Cecilia flashes her a bright smile. “You look familiar. Where have I seen you before? An actress, perhaps?”

Caroline shakes her head good-naturedly. “No chance. I’m a teacher. But maybe I have a famous doppelgänger.” 

Cecilia’s smile falters at the word “teacher.” She recovers quickly, but I don’t miss the moment, and neither does Caroline. Her shoulders slump a little, even as she juts her chin forward with pride.

“Well, how nice.”

That just pisses me off. “It is, isn’t it? One of the noblest professions, if you ask me. Educating young minds.”

“Yes, yes, of course. Well, it was nice seeing you. I wish you both a pleasant evening.” Cecilia smiles indulgently before walking away.

“I’m sorry,” I tell Caroline as we both sit again.

“Nothing I haven’t seen before.” She waves her hand, as if saying, “forget it,” but I know better. This is a sore spot for her. I liked her mother, but she often—and openly—criticized Caroline’s choice of profession, insisting she should have chosen something that paid better. “What you told her was very sweet. But you don’t have to defend me.”

“Yeah, I do, and I will. I meant what I said to her.”

I place my hand palm up on the table, and she gives me hers.

“I don’t fit in with your people—”

“Those are not my people. They’re just customers. You are my people. You and my family. I don’t care about anyone else.”

Caroline sighs, shaking her head. “Okay, I have to ask. Did you take any courses on how to make a woman swoon or something? I don’t remember you being quite so charming last time around.”

I give her my most cheeky smile. “Can’t give away all my secrets now, can I?” Logan might have given me a piece of advice or ten, and I don’t need to take notes to remember it all.

“Well, whatever you did, it’s working.”

The waiter appears at our table, interrupting the moment as he sets the plates in front of us. I don’t realize how hungry I am until I take the first mouthful of paella.

Caroline eats with small bites, a contemplative expression on her face.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Our lives seem to belong in different spheres. Don’t get me wrong, I love my life, but it’s simple compared to yours. After me, you dated models and stars, and I couldn’t help wondering that maybe you broke things off because I wasn’t enough.”

“No! I was young and stupid, and it had nothing to do with you. I wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment. I admit I also wanted to experiment more. But the thought of being in it for the long haul scared me.” I struggle for words, wanting to make this perfectly clear.

“Dan, it’s okay. We were twenty-one. I get it. No one’s ready for forever at that age.”

“Except our parents.”

She grins. “True.”

“So, you kept a close eye on me, huh?”

Nodding, she lowers her eyes to the plate, pushing around the food with her fork. “Go ahead, laugh.”

“I’m not laughing. I did the same.”

“How? My life wasn’t under public scrutiny like yours.” She frowns, but then her expression blooms into a full smile as she puts two and two together. “Your sisters.”

“Exactly. Alice stayed out of it, but Pippa and Summer were relentless. Every time they told me you were dating, I wanted to punch something. Then I felt guilty because I wanted you to be happy. But the thought of you being happy with someone else....”

Narrowing her eyes, she points her fork at me. “You’ve been sending me negative vibes all these years.”

“I wouldn’t call it that.”

“Hmm, you’re right. Pining is the word.”

“You’re enjoying this immensely, aren’t you?”

“I’ve been pining for you this entire time. It’s nice to know I wasn’t the only one.”

She presses her lips together, as if she fears she’s said too much. She didn’t use to have a filter with me or feel the need to be careful. But right now, she’s peeking at me from behind her guard, not quite ready to lower it. I’m not there yet either, but I want to meet her halfway on this one.

“You weren’t the only one. Not by a long shot.”

She smiles that ridiculously beautiful smile, and fuck if I don’t want to get her out of here, take her home, show her all the ways in which I missed her. But she needs to eat first.

“Why aren’t you eating?”

She sighs, eying my plate. “Can I take a bite of your paella?”

“Sure.”

She takes a spoonful from my plate, chewing slowly, nodding in satisfaction. “Yours is tastier. I should’ve ordered the one with chicken too.”

“Wanna trade?”

She tilts her head, considering this. “No. Stealing from your plate is more fun.”

“That’s my line.”

“Stole it too.”

I laugh, moving the plate out of her reach. “Whatcha gonna do now, Ms. Tease?”

Caroline looks between the plate and me as she taps her fingers on the table. I’m so busy anticipating her next move over the table that I pay no attention to her shenanigans under the table. Right until I feel her bare foot move suggestively up and down my calf. Fuck me.

“If I were you, I’d put the plate right back where it was,” she says sweetly.

I push the plate even farther away, leaning slightly over the table. “If I were you, I’d stop being a naughty girl. You don’t want to turn me on, or I’ll forget we’re in public. You’re not wearing any panties, remember?”

Swallowing hard, she lowers her foot, red splotches appearing on her cheeks.

“I love seeing you blush.”

“You don’t say.”

“Let’s go to my house after dinner. Spend the night there.” I’ve been sleeping at her apartment since Sunday, but I want her in my house, in my bed. I want her smell on my sheets, her hair on my pillow.

“You’re awfully confident about getting me in bed tonight,” she teases.

Leaning back, I drum my fingers on the table. “Oh, I like my chances. Besides, you’ll love my apartment. Lots of windows. It’s in Nob Hill, with a direct view over Huntington Park.”

“Can you see our faux Notre Dame?” she asks, referring to the Grace Cathedral, which is an exact replica of Notre Dame de Paris.

“Yep. I also have a Jacuzzi.”

“Sold.”

***

“Wow, your apartment is beautiful, Dan. And the view, my goodness.”

She does a full turn, scanning the details of the living room. I don’t have much in terms of furniture, just a large white couch, a coffee table, and a recliner in which Alice loves to sit when she visits, but I love my home simple. And I love having Caroline here, in the midst of it all. I can barely keep my hands off her, my self-control dangling from a thin thread. Stepping right behind her, I push her hair to one side, kissing the back of her neck.

“I want to taste you, Caroline. I want to make love to you in every room in this apartment.”

“Then get me naked.”

Her voice is low, full of lust. I love bringing out this side of her. I make quick work of removing her clothes, and when she’s completely naked, I make a confession.

“You’re the only woman I’ve brought here. Except for my family.”

I need her to know that, unlike last time, now I understand exactly how special this is between us. Even the doorman was surprised when he saw us come in. 

“Oh, Dan!” She peppers my chest with kisses, whispering against my skin. “You’re not going to regret it. I’ll make you happy.” She kisses up my neck, moves to my ear. “You’ll see. So happy.”

One hand around her waist, I hoist her closer to me, tip her chin up with my other hand. The emotion in her eyes brings me to my knees.

I want to be worthy of this look my entire life. Gently I press my mouth against hers. She opens her lips, inviting me in, and I slip my tongue inside. Taking her in my arms, I carry her to my bedroom, laying her on the bed.

She keeps her hands at the side of her head, her hair splayed around the pillow. She looks so perfect in my bed. She belongs here, and I’ll be damned if I ever let her leave it. Her round, full breasts beckon to me, her nipples peaking.

I drop my clothes near the bed, taking her panties out of my pocket, then lie next to her. Bracing myself on one forearm, I run my thumb in the valley between her breasts, around one nipple and then the other, until they’re both hard.

“Put these on,” I instruct, laying the thong on her belly.

“Now you want me to have panties on?”

“Yes. Put them on.”

She raises a brow but does what I say, shimmying back in them, looking at me as if asking, “Now what?”

Her chest moves up and down with every breath, the rhythm intensifying as I trace the path of my fingers with my mouth, tasting all that sweetness of hers. I lower my mouth to her navel, then farther on her pubic bone, stopping just above her clit, pressing a chaste kiss there over the fabric.

Pulling back, I run my thumb right over her center, watching the fabric dampen with her arousal, her eyes widening. I blow a breath straight over the darkened patch, and she fists the bedsheet, exhaling sharply.

“Dan, what are you doing?”

“Driving you crazy.”

I’m so hard, I can barely hold back, but I want to give her pleasure more than I need to chase my own. Gathering the fabric covering her pussy between my fingers, I rub the lace gently over her clit.

“Oh, oh—this is so good.”

The lace is a little rough, so I follow every rub with a lash of my tongue, a succession of soft and coarse. She fists the sheets tighter and tighter, but I know it won’t be enough soon. She’ll need to touch herself.

When she finally lets go of the sheet, touching her breasts, playing with her own nipples, I nearly come from the sight. Caroline on her back, spread open on my bed, all wild and uninhibited. I love seeing her like this. I stop when she’s close to climaxing, pulling her panties down, then lick along her crack.

“Dan. Ooooooh, oh, oh. Can you do that again, please?”

I lick again, and again, feeling her glutes contract in my hands, her cries becoming louder, her arousal dripping on her inner thighs. 

When I can’t stand not being inside her anymore, I straighten up, balancing on my knees between her open thighs. She lifts her legs, touching my arms with her feet before resting them on my shoulders. I cuff her ankles between my thumb and forefinger, moving her feet until her soles are planted on my chest.

“You’ll have better leverage like this,” I explain.

She swallows. “Are you sure it’s okay for you?”

“Don’t worry, baby. I’m strong. Give me your hands.”

I reach out, and she meets me halfway. With her hands in mine, I slide inside her, just the tip, rubbing back and forth until she gasps my name.

“Dan, please. I want you inside me all the way.”

“Not yet.”

I move lower on my knees, changing the angle, but still only giving her the tip. She whimpers, lifting her hips, trying to slide herself onto me, but I pull back.

“Please.”

“I love hearing you say please.”

“Dan!”

“I’m not giving everything to you. Not yet.”

My words send a rush of wetness through her, and her pussy clamps around me, coating me in her arousal. This is torture for me too, but nothing like it is for her. She writhes, thrashing her head around the pillow. But I need to get her soaked and ready, and she’s so responsive it damn near kills me. She tries to smuggle her hands out of my grip, but I don’t let her go.

“No.”

“I need to touch myself.”

“You’re not allowed to. You’ll only receive the pleasure I want to give you. And love? I’ll give you so much pleasure, I’m not sure you’ll be able to take it.”

She exhales sharply, but stops trying to wriggle her hands free. Leverage and control are two reasons I want to hold her here. The third one is that I need the touch. I want to touch her as much as possible, to feel close to her.

When the quiver in her body intensifies, I change the angle again, sliding in deeper, inch by inch, stopping when I reach her G-spot. Her eyes open wide, looking at me wildly, her mouth forming an O.

“Oh, oh, Dan—”

I slide inside her, staying still when I’m all the way in. When I pull back, then slide back in, her hands tense in mine. I grip them tighter, rubbing my thumbs along her knuckles.

“You’re so beautiful.”

I need it slow tonight, and I need to look her in the eyes the entire time I’m inside her. She doesn’t urge me to go faster, doesn’t push herself against me. And she doesn’t look away from me. We’ve always been in sync, but tonight it’s like we’re reading each other’s thoughts, anticipating the other’s needs.

Her breasts move up and down on every thrust. Christ, she’s a sight. Sweet, sexy, sinful. Nothing is more perfect than getting lost in this woman. I need to touch more of her, so I let go of one hand, holding the other firmly.

I run my palm over her hip, up her waist. Then I bend forward on my knees, changing the angle yet again, and she pinches her eyes shut tightly. I still.

“Open your eyes, Caroline.”

“Just a second.” Her voice is shaky, her breath uneven. Fuck, I love that I can do this to her. Knock the breath out of her, make her shake with pleasure. When she flutters her eyelids open, I thrust again, moving my free hand up to her breasts, pinching one nipple and then the other. Her inner muscles clench so tight around me that my eyes nearly roll in my head.

When she squeezes me tighter and tighter, I press my palm flat on her pubic bone, driving into her G-spot again. 

“Dan!”

Her hips shudder, but I stop their upward swing by pressing my palm harder. She is falling apart beautifully.

“I can’t—oh God, this. I can’t...too much....”

“Yes, you can. You’ll take all the pleasure I’m giving you. All of it.”

She grips the headboard with her free hand, holding on to me tightly with the other one.

“Do you trust me?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“Say the words.”

“I trust you, Dan. I trust you.”

Between her words and her shaky thighs, I nearly explode. My balls tighten, a zing rushing straight to my tip. I drive into her faster, my palm pressing her down as I hit her G-spot again and again. When her back arches up, I rub my thumb over her clit, and she’s done for. She goes right over the edge, taking me with her. She spasms around me so hard, she nearly pushes me out. Dropping on top of her, my body still convulsing, I stay inside her, cradling her to me, feeling closer to her than ever but wanting—needing—to be even closer.

“This was incredible,” she murmurs on a sigh.

“Mmm, just foreplay. We’re not nearly done for tonight.”

Her inner muscles clench around me, making me smile. She’s as greedy for me as I am for her.

“That Jacuzzi is waiting for us.”